We have been closely updated by our staff in the Philippines regarding the impending typhoon (set to hit later this week, perhaps Thursday), and also the dire conditions that many in the Philippines (including our staff and Director) are still suffering through after last month’s typhoon. Scores of people have lost all of their possessions, if not also family members and friends. Please do keep this nation in your prayers this week as yet another devastating storm looms.

Reuters – Philippines starts evacuation ahead of new typhoon:
“The Philippines began evacuating thousands of people in northern areas prone to floods and landslides on Tuesday ahead of a powerful typhoon that has gained strength over the Pacific, officials said.”

Other news of note today from IJM casework countries:

Manila Bulletin – Andrey Sawchenko addresses Cebu’s sex trafficking problem: “The local branch of international human rights organization, International Justice Mission (IJM) lamented Tuesday the continuing problem of human trafficking in the Philippines, including Cebu, despite the country’s fading out from the international sex tourism radar.”

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/10/19/guatemala.police/” title="CNN">CNN – Two killed in attack on Guatemalan police: “Lethal assaults on police and prison guards in Guatemala continued over the weekend, with an attack on a national police patrol that killed two officers and left one wounded, authorities said.”

AP – Full results of AIDS vaccine in Thailand show drug is of “modest help”: “Fresh results from the world’s first successful test of an experimental AIDS vaccine confirm that it is only marginally effective. Yet, the findings are exciting to scientists, who think they may show how to make a better vaccine.”